Tip! Ensure your Employee Handbook and Induction has plenty of wording in it that shows that management knows about the adverse effects of too much stress. Explain what people must do if they feel under stress.
Today we live in a more stressful world than ever before and it many people feel constantly fatigued.
A good way to combat fatigue is to be careful what you eat and make sure you have a diet to reduce stress; this will also reduce hunger pangs and the desire to overeat.
Stress can lead to tiredness and overeating
Chronic stress increases the production of hormones that unbalance glucose levels in the blood, which can make you feel hungry triggering overeating that causes more stress.
Tip! Break the cycle of prolonged stress by spending time each day “de-stressing.” Consider the use of meditation, guided imagery and visualization.
General food guidelines
A diet to reduce stress should include 60-75% raw food, full of fresh fruit and vegetables, which not only supply valuable vitamins and minerals, including the B complex and vitamin C.
Raw foods are also rich in compounds such as flavanoids, which help to combat stress symptoms.
Foods to Include
High-fiber, carbohydrate-rich foods:
Scientists believe carbohydrates cause the brain to produce more serotonin, a hormone that relaxes and soothes us.
Add lots of fiber is helpful in preventing late-night binging. Some examples of healthy comfort food include baked sweet potatoes, sautéed vegetables and brown rice.
Fruits and vegetables:
By increasing your intake of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, you can boost your immune system.
Tip! Keep referring to stress in newsletters, speeches and meetings. Put stress reduction on the agenda of management meetings and have a set section in the newsletter.
Also take these supplements
Alfalfa, garlic and ginger can be taken which support the immune system.
Kelp, kombu and watercress should also be included in a diet to reduce stress as they help to support the thyroid gland.
Lots of water should also be drunk to prevent dehydration and make sure that you eat regularly as well as cutting back on alcohol, coffee, tea and cigarettes.
Tip! Internet Stress Test. BEWARE!!! Many of these tests are planned to finally sell you something.
A diet to reduce stress should include the following
The specific foods below will reduce stress and nourish the nervous system and restore balance and wellbeing
A diet to reduce stress is relatively easy to do and can be incorporated into any sensible diet plan.
Here are some great individual foods to incorporate.
Oats
Are reckoned for their calming properties, rich in B vitamins which can help calm an over stressed nervous system
Strawberries, raspberries dark vegetables and oranges
These are all rich in vitamin C and this is needed to replenish adrenaline stored in the adrenal glands.
Tip! It’s also important to make a distinction between stress and pressure. Stress comes from the outside, while pressure is an inside job.
If you are stressed you need a lot of vitamin C and the bodies requirement doubles. Smokers deplete vitamin C so if you must smoke get plenty of this vitamin.
Skimmed milk & low fat yogurt
Milk is a great source of magnesium and calcium two minerals that help soothe muscle tension.
Tip! What’s stressful can vary greatly. What some people call stressful, others find exciting.
Carrots & apples
Eat them raw and they have been scientifically proven to reduce stress. How? Simply the crunching noise! Any crunchy vegetable or fruit is good.
Camomile
The nutrients found in this tea mean that have a sedative calming affect on the nervous system and plenty of tea should be included in any diet to reduce stress levels. Try drinking a cup before you go to bed to relax you and get good nights sleep.
Other teas
Drink green tea as well but try not to drink coffee or tea unless it’s decaffeinated.
Foods that increase stress
Foods not to eat include processed foods, artificial sweeteners, carbonated soft drinks, chocolate, candy, fried food, sugar, white flour products and foods with lots of preservatives and additives.
Eat naturally and regularly
A diet to reduce stress is easy to do, just keep in mind the following: Eat as many raw and natural foods as possible and cut down on refined and processed foods.
Tip! Monitor stress levels. No, you don’t need an 80-question stress climate survey or bureaucratic stress management standards.
Take some supplements like the ones indicated above that are known for their calming affect, drink lots of water and remember to eat regularly and often.
It really is that simple!
So try a diet based around the above principles and watch your stress levels drop and your energy levels increase.
For more sensible diet advice including Diet plans, tips to lose, which supplements to take and much more go to:
http://www.net-planet.org/health.html
